Hello, I am a new rider looking for good rain gear in a warm environment like Florida. Something that will keep me dry and folds up for easy storage on the bike. Thanks in advance!!!!
My frogg togg pants leak in the crotch, which is pretty much the worst place for a pair of pants to leak because it makes you look like you pissed yourself.
Goretex is no good for warm climates. It doesnt breathe well enough. Get something with liners. Thats the best way to go. The liners are also great for keeping the wind off in colder climates. Try Olympia. Well made and reasonably priced.
Yeah this way you can stop, take everything off, put liners in, then ride around in wet gear when it stops raining and take all that shit off, remove liners and put wet gear back on.
Yep. Its worked for me since 2007. Beats spending an ass load of money on expensive goretex just to sweat your balls off all summer and to have it leak around stitches and zippers when it rains. I can see rain coming and have enough time to stop and put the liners on. its not that compliacted. The Frogg Toggs work unless it pools, like on the seat.
Motoport Mesh Kevlar with the Motoport liners. If it's not warm weather, and there's any chance of rain, put the pant liners in before the start of the ride. If it's warm weather, don't even bother with the pant liners. Let your legs get wet. Though the Motoport liners may be the most breathable waterproof liners you can get, so you could still wear them in warm weather. And it's easy enough to stop and put the liner jacket on, on the fly. Once it stops raining, the mesh Kevlar will dry in minutes while you're riding. So, you can certainly stop and remove the liner and continue riding in dry gear.
Different strokes...never said it was complicated. Just tried the liner thing, the frog toggs thing, the plastic rain suit thing, and it was all a waste of time and money. Had my gore tex suit for years and never leaked a drop, was warm but more comfortable that the other options, especially the wet gear. What ever works for you.
Thats the only thing about riding and living in the southeast. No matter which way you go, its a compromise. Stay relatively cool but have to stop to put liners in or sweat to death and dont have to worry about stopping. At least we get to ride year around.
Never found Gor-Tex to be a problem with breathability or over heating....just wear something cooler underneath. Gor-Tex is still king imho!
tourmaster http://www.tourmaster.com/product/Rainsuits/Elite_Series_II_2_Piece_Rainsuit_Jacket/84/8 i have the non nomex pants and have been great. I've had this combo for several years and have no issues wearing this suit over my riding gear. well worth the money
+1 on Tourmaster Sentinel rain pants and jacket if you want an affordable, packable, dry, combo. It has pretty technical vents for it's price. Back in 1998 I had an older generation of Tourmaster Elite rain gear and kept it for ten years with good results but it was hot. Durable stuff. The newer generation called the Sentinel series is improved in every single way over the non-technical Elite series. But for a ten minute rain I never would bother. At this stage in my riding I am sick of adding rain coats. I just bought a used Darien (Gore-tex) for $200 which I expect to be very hot and I probably will not use in summer weather. In the future I plan to upgrade to a Darien Light ($439) and be done with it.
GI Surplus Wet Weather Gear. You want the newer IMPROVED wet weather jacket/pants; they are generously sized, have velcro on the pant cuffs and jacket sleeves; you can easily duct tape shut the slash pockets on the jacket and pants to ensure you stay dry... your crotch will stay dry (unlike most wet weather gear). The jacket is 3/4 length, has a elastic drawstring at the base to seal against the pants (no 'blow up"), and also features a hood and velcro to roll/secure it down. I've covered literally hundreds of miles in this gear and stayed dry and comfortable in it. Rode back from Va Beach to Dayton last month; first 300 miles were a DOWNPOUR and stayed dry on that as well. It's not lined - so I've ridden with it in 90 degree weather and stayed comfortable. (at least, as comfortable as you're going to be in those circumstances. There is the older woodland camo - as well as the ACU camo versions. A complete set in like new condition should run about $50/60 for top and bottom, depending on your local GI Surplus store.
+1 While I'm not a fan of "AGTATT" (All Gore-Tex All The Time), I do think liners are a bit fiddly. That's why I bought a Gore-Tex Klima Komfort Suit to go over my gear years ago. Never lets a drop in. It's literally nothing more than a Gore-Tex shell. No insulation at all. It will not keep you any warmer than anything else that's windproof.
OT, but are you saying the Darien Light will be less hot? Why? The Light means it's less protection, but it's just as windproof with the same vents. It's just lighter weight. Why would it be any less hot? I use my Darien jacket for things like snow skiing or other cold weather non-riding activities and possibly for cold weather dual sport (where it's mostly or all offroad) riding. It's just not even remotely close to enough protection for normal street riding (in my opinion).
I suggest you go to the Harley (gasp) store and buy their $100 Harley Davidson rain suit. Pretty easy on and off, hi-vis bits, and as waterproof as you will find. Alternatively, if you are 6'1" and 220 or so. I could sell you a BMW Gore-tex one-piece suit, with integral armor, for $200.